Ralfi Pagan

Ralfi Pagan passed without making a significant mark in the music industry, but not because he didn't try. Raised on the Lower East Side of New York City, he was part of the city's bubbling salsa scene in the '60s and late '70s. His main body of work -- four albums -- was waxed for Johnny Pacheco and Gerald Masucci's Fania Records. Though a major player in the studio, he didn't achieve the notoriety of some other Fania artists, known as the Fania All Stars and which included Mongo Santamaria, Johnny Colon, Willie Bobo, Joe Bataan, Ralph Robles, and Bobby Valentine. The label started on a shoestring and couldn't afford to promote its early product across-the-board, but Fania records were hot platters on Latin radio stations.

Pagan was a gifted vocalist. His light, floating tenor was as serenading as Smokey Robinson's, but more ardent when he came down from the clouds. His melodious crooning got some chart action on a remake of Bread's "Make It With You" (1971) for Wand Records (Fania contracted with Wand during this period). Two years later, he scored a minor charter with "Soul Je T'aime" with Sylvia Robinson (now there's a duet made in heaven) on Robinson's Vibration label; but its success was modest at number 39 R&B and 99 pop on Billboard. Other singles include "Didn't Want to Have to Do It," "Just for a Little While," and "Come Back Baby."

In addition to the four Fania albums, he had an obvious hand in Ralfi Pagan Presents Johnny Nelson, which is quite an item among collectors; Low Profile Records also reissued his second Fania album, Ralfi Pagan With Love. Examples of Pagan's haunting vocals can be found on ITP Records' East Side Classics series. ~ Andrew Hamilton

His music will never get old they will be heard by new generation in the future. They are classics!♡ so many of his songs are good and still very popular. .......... we at least 4 generations that listen to him.

The best of loving memories with play boy back in east Los angles California . house parties and families evening parties new years when we gotten down with the best of ralfi .dancing slow so close lead to a kiss! With shy girl!

I was recently turned on to Ralphie Pagan. Now I can't get enough. Plus he so resembles my lil brother Julian, who unfortunately was senselessly taken from us. I only hope my brother is listening to his hypnotizing voice up there in heaven!!!

7 months ago

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roxalv83

Every time I listen to Ralfi Pagan I fall in love with his music and voice.